Mechanical properties of surface-treated ramie fiber fabric/epoxy resin composite fabricated by vacuum-assisted resin infusion molding with hot compaction
Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online April, 2016
Mechanical properties of surface-treated ramie fiber fabric/epoxy resin composite fabricated by vacuum-assisted resin infusion molding with hot compaction
The optimization of composite manufacturing process is an important means for improving mechanical properties of natural fiber composites. In this paper, ramie fiber fabrics were, respectively, modified by NaOH, KMnO4, and ammonium polyphosphate flame retardant, and then ramie fabric/epoxy resin composite laminates were prepared using vacuum-assisted resin infusion molding. In order to increase ramie fiber content in composite, vacuum pressure compaction and hot compaction with high pressure and temperature were, respectively, used to compress the fabric stack before molding. The effects of precompaction process on fiber compaction and mechanical properties of ramie fiber yarns and composites were studied. The comparison with the ramie fiber fabric without surface treatment was also done. It is found that surface-treated ramie fiber fabric has lower compressibility than the untreated one. Moreover, hot compaction with suitable conditions is effective in increasing fiber content and mechanical properties of all studied ramie fabric composites.
PandeyJKAhnSHLeeCS. Recent advances in the application of natural fiber based composites. Macromol Mater Eng2010; 295: 975–989.
2.
RaghavendraGOjhaSAcharyaSK. Jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites and comparison with the glass and neat epoxy composites. J Compos Mater2014; 48: 2537–2547.
3.
KuHWangHPattarachaiyakoopN. A review on the tensile properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. Compos Part B2011; 42: 856–873.
4.
FrancucciGRodríguezESMoránJ. Novel approach for mold filling simulation of the processing of natural fiber reinforced composites by resin transfer molding. J Compos Mater2014; 48: 191–200.
Herrera-FrancoPValadez-GonzalezACervantes-UcM. Development and characterization of a HDPE-sand-natural fiber composite. Compos Part B1997; 28: 331–343.
7.
BledzkiAKReihmaneSGassanJ. Properties and modification methods for vegetable fibers for natural fiber composites. J Appl Polym Sci1996; 59: 1329–1336.
8.
HuRLimJK. Fabrication and mechanical properties of completely biodegradable hemp fiber reinforced polylactic acid composites. J Compos Mater2007; 41: 1655–1669.
9.
RouisonDSainMCouturierM. Resin transfer molding of natural fiber reinforced composites: cure simulation. Compos Sci Technol2004; 64: 629–644.
Murali Mohan RaoKMohana RaoKRatna PrasadAV. Fabrication and testing of natural fibre composites: vakka, sisal, bamboo and banana. Mater Des2010; 31: 508–513.
14.
ShahDUSchubelPJLicenceP. Determining the minimum, critical and maximum fibre content for twisted yarn reinforced plant fibre composites. Compos Sci Technol2012; 72: 1909–1917.
15.
AtluriRPVRaoKMGuptaA. Experimental investigation of mechanical properties of golden cane fiber-reinforced polyester composites. Int J Polym Anal Charact2013; 18: 30–39.
16.
DuanYTanZZhaoY. Compression responses of preform in vacuum infusion process. Chin J Aeronaut2008; 21: 370–377.
17.
FumihitoTShigeruNKengoH. Research in the application of the VaRTM technique to the fabrication of primary aircraft composite structures. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Tech Rev2005; 42: 1–6.
18.
GuYTanXYangZ. Hot compaction and mechanical properties of ramie fabric/epoxy composite fabricated using vacuum assisted resin infusion molding. Mater Des2014; 56: 852–861.
19.
WuWJiangBXieL. Effect of compaction and preforming parameters on the compaction behavior of bindered textile preforms for automated composite manufacturing. Appl Compos Mater2013; 20: 907–926.
20.
FrancucciGRodríguezES. Modeling of the compaction response of jute fabrics in liquid composite molding processes. J Appl Polym Sci2012; 124: 4789–4798.
21.
FrancucciGRodríguezEVázquezA. Experimental study of the compaction response of jute fabrics in liquid composite molding processes. J Compos Mater2012; 46: 155–167.
22.
CouttsRSP. A review of Australian research into natural fibre cement composites. Cem Concr Compos2005; 27: 518–526.
23.
GeorgeJSreekalaMSThomasS. A review on interface modification and characterization of natural fiber reinforced plastic composites. Polym Eng Sci2001; 41: 1471–1485.
24.
VilayVMariattiMMat TaibR. Effect of fiber surface treatment and fiber loading on the properties of bagasse fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. Compos Sci Technol2008; 68: 631–638.
25.
YuTRenJLiS. Effect of fiber surface-treatments on the properties of poly (lactic acid)/ramie composites. Compos Part A2010; 41: 499–505.
26.
LiYHuCYuY. Interfacial studies of sisal fiber reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. Compos Part A2008; 39: 570–578.
27.
LiSRenJYuanH. Influence of ammonium polyphosphate on the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of ramie fiber–reinforced poly (lactic acid) biocomposites. Polym Int2010; 59: 242–248.
28.
NamSNetravaliAN. Green composites. I. Physical properties of ramie fibers for environment-friendly green composites. Fibers Polym2006; 7: 372–379.
29.
ISO11566:1996. Carbon fiber-Determination of the tensile properties of single-filament specimens.
30.
GB/T3354-1999. Test method for tensile properties of oriented fiber reinforced plastics.
31.
GB/T3356-1999. Test method for flexural properties of unidirectional fiber reinforced plastics.
